NSW Blues player Tariq Sims knows how tough it will be to gain favour with a North Queensland crowd when State of Origin I is played in Townsville.
Tariq Sims spent four years of his NRL career playing in Townsville and knows better than most how deep the hatred runs for NSW during State of Origin time up there.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo will confirm at a press conference at 3.45pm AEST that Queensland Country Bank Stadium will host the series opener on June 9, instead of the MCG, leaving the Blues to digest the thought of playing the first two games of the series in enemy territory.
Second-rower Sims made his NRL debut for the Cowboys in 2011 and left at the end of 2014, a good four years before he pulled on a Blues jersey.
And still he felt the heat from the Maroons-crazed locals.
“They’re mad. They’re mad as cut snakes for football in North Queensland,” Sims told AAP.
“That’s one of those things that I admired about them actually.
“Is how much rugby league is a religion to them… Playing in front of some pretty passionate fans up there… that will be interesting.”
The opening match of the series has been forced to move Melbourne as Victoria deals with its latest COVID-19 outbreak.
It’ll be the first time since 2017 that either NSW or Queensland has hosted two matches of the series, but the first time since 1982 a state has hosted the opening two games.
In both cases Brisbane was the host city.
Adding to the worry is the Blues’ poor record in Queensland, winning just 19 of 59 games in the state, including just two of the past 14.
A Townsville game is a big boost for Queensland but coach Paul Green is not getting carried away in the lead-up to his maiden Origin match in charge.
“It is good to have the home crowd on your side; it creates an atmosphere but it doesn’t put points on the board for you,” he said on Monday.
“It’d be enormous for Townsville but they don’t make the tackles for you or score the tries.”
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Dry track, outstanding surface. Should make for a quick open exciting game The current forecast WED 9/6 for Townsville is clear sky and temps 17 to 26 The current forecast WED 9/6 for Melbourne is showers and temps 8 to 13 As a player or spectator I know where I would rather be next week
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Best news ever. Accommodation is going to be a nightmare to get. A nice gift for the north, and very much appreciated.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
KK – good point, everything at the MCG would have been ready to go, printed tickets/advertising, singers, entertainment, corporate boxes and events, etc so I would assume there was a significant loss here to the NRL with the sudden cancellation of the MCG venue. I am not sure if the Vic Gov would compensate anything given how Dan Andrews and his socialist commune is being run.
kk
Roar Pro
Abdo said they (NRL) had taken a hit, Mig. Would like that explained. What compensation did they get from the Victorian Government? What exactly is the $8M from the Queensland Government?
Nat
Roar Guru
Did Uncle Nick have any involvement with NSWRL back then? He would be happy selling a lemon 5x over for profit. :laughing:
The Barry
Roar Guru
By the end of 1997, 18 years into Origin, NSW had had only two home series... Spoon fed... :silly:
Sammy
Guest
I'm predicting another drawn series - just like 1987, 1999 and 2002 :stoked: !
Nat
Roar Guru
Bah, that's just NSWRL hiding the game and the resuts. By '88 they finally get a few wins so they bent the rules - again. How is the irony of the '88 results, just to make sure no attanding fan was happy that series. :laughing:
tom
Guest
Wouldn't the obvious solution be to hold game 1 at ANZ or Suncorp, and game 3 at the MCG contingent upon the outbreak coming under control? That would also give time to shift to a neutral venue like Adelaide or Perth if necessary.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Pfffft... Origin has been spoon fed to Queenslanders since day one :laughing: NSW didn’t even get a home series until 1988...
Nat
Roar Guru
Hey if NSWRL wants to sell their games for profit that's not a Qld issue. Some things are worth more than money. :silly:
Kerry Hanson
Guest
It’ll be like 25,000 strong scene from deliverance. Them NSW boys are gunna be made to squeal like little piggies
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
With the Covid outbreak in Melbourne, so suddenly and unpredictable, the NRL acted wisely and swiftly to get the game as far away from Victoria and the pandemic as soon as possible. The fact that it is north Queensland is understandable given the circumstances (distance is good = isolation less chance of an outbreak in the next 2 weeks there). Plus like it or not if the Qld Gov adds a $8m incentive, all the better. The NRL is a business and they made he right business decision. Well done, Vlandys (again).
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
The NSW Government pays to host the game. Will they accept a change? It would affect the entire tourism benefit to change it to a different date.
Up the Wahs
Roar Guru
2012 game one was in melbourne. Year before was two in qld and naturally 2014 was two in qld. So between these four year you have six in qld and 5 in nsw. What point are you trying to make. For the record I’m happy with Townsville it is a new stadium so should get a showcase event.
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
He was as much a part of Origin as Wally, Sterlo, Turvey or Artie. Could not stomach him when I was younger, wish I had a beer with him now im a bit older http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/referee-grasshopper-gomersall-dies/2007/02/09/1170524288599.html
The Barry
Roar Guru
Come on mate, one thing you blokes can’t complain about is home ground advantage In 39 three game series there have been : 18 series with two games in Queensland 11 series with one each NSW, Qld and neutral venue game 10 series with two games in NSW Plus two one game “series”, both held in Queensland
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
Awesome, no excuses two games in qld. Will really show the mental state of this blues side. Game 1 score 32 -12 NSW :thumbup:
Chuck
Guest
WOOHOO!!! Better than Bankwest.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
who cares. If NSW are good enough they'll win one of 2 in Qld I expect a Rothfield article tomorrow whinging about it